Much of the internet was in an uproar earlier this week when an article by a satirical site made claims racing legend Jeff Gordon came out of the closet.
The article by Empire Sports, titled, “Jeff Gordon and Stephen Rhodes Confirm Homosexual Relationship; NASCAR Fans Outraged,” tricked many people into believing Gordon was in the middle of divorcing his wife en route to falling into the arms of Rhodes, a fellow racer.
Although it would be quite the scandal in the NASCAR world, the story is 100 percent fake. Based on the excerpt below, you would think many would be able to pick up on the hyperbolic satire:
“We are unable to get a comment from Gordon or Rhodes on this news of their relationship but it is 100% confirmed by them both. Both men have been seen around together since they came out just recently. The couple has been seen hand in hand but not much else in the public eye. This new couple has sparked a fire storm in the southern states where the rednecks tend to live.”
We managed to get a response by a now former Jeff Gordon fan by the name of Billy-Bob Benson he said the following: ‘There ain’t no room for that queer crap in NASCAR. This is a man sport that only straight men should be doing. These queers need to go back and pray that god forgives them for the choice they made. If they wanna be gay go be a fashion designer and not ruin the greatest sport in the world!'”
C’mon, folks. “Billy-Bob?” “Where the rednecks tend to live?”
Just in case you were wondering, this is what Gordon would be walking away from — model Ingrid Vandebosch.
Photo Credit: Getty
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him @JHelmuth or “like'” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.